- North Korean soldiers sent to aid Russia in Ukraine would be “cannon fodder,” the Pentagon said.
- The two nations signed a new security pact, and some Korean units look set to go to Ukraine.
- Russia is known for treating its soldiers as highly disposable and has suffered high death tolls.
Engineering/support was the pretext for all the Chinese, Cubans, Nepalese, etc. that have ended up as frontline cannon fodder. Both Russia and NK are incentivized to downplay it until the troops are already there so I’d remain weary.
Also, stuff like constructing transport infrastructure for military logistics or more fortifications or revetments in airfields or any number of things may have significant military effect, even if they aren’t fighting.